Espn Stephen A. Smith replied after his stormy interaction on the ground with LeBron James has become viral.
James, 40 years old, I was facing Smith, 57, After the Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Victory over the New York Knicks at the Crypto.com Arena of Los Angeles on Thursday, March 6, which spread quickly on social networks.
Friday, March 7, episode of ESPN First catchSmith explained that the confrontation concerned Lebron’s son Bonny James.
“It was LeBron James who came to me, unexpectedly, I could add, for confronting me to make sure that it bothers me what I say about his son,” said Smith. “I can’t repeat the words because they are not suitable for FCC. That’s what he was doing.
Bonny, 20, was drafted by the Lakers in the second round of the NBA 2024 draft, a decision that Smith criticized vocally.
“I have been thinking about this for a long time in the past hours, because I had no intention of talking about it at all,” said Smith. “The reason is that it was head-to-head-I wouldn’t say it was a conversation-but it was a head-to-face confrontation. Then I wake up and everyone from ESPN and my agent and everyone sent me that this thing had become viral. »»
Smith said that talking about the incident had become “inevitable” given the attention it attracted.
“He was not a basketball player who confronted me,” said Smith. “He was a parent. He was a father. I cannot sit here and be angry or feel despised by LeBron James in any way whatsoever. According to all accounts, he is obviously a wonderful father and father. He cares very, very deeply about his son. »»
Smith said LeBron “has clearly opposed some of the things he heard me say.”
In January, Smith “begged” Lebron to stop trying to make her son’s professional basketball dreams occur. “We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his father,” said Smith First catch at the time.
Bronny James made his debut at the NBA this week in front of a delighted family crowd – but not everyone was as enthusiastic. The 20-year-old recruit adapted to the sides of his father LeBron James at the opening of the Los Angeles Lakers season against Minnesota Timberwolves in Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday October 22, becoming the first father-fine […]
Smith said he would have taken a phone call from LeBron to tackle his grievances, “but that’s not what he chose to do.”
“I only have the best wishes for Bronny James,” said Smith on Friday. “I only wish him the best. I hope he flourishes in an NBA star. »»
Smith explained that his problem was really with LeBron himself and the “pressure” he exerted to succeed in his shadow.
“I could be a little more frank on this subject,” concluded Smith. “But to be completely honest with you, to be at that time, that LeBron looks at me as he did, so that I am father of two daughters, for me to know how much the fathers of love have for their children, and for me to hear what he had to say, everything was about his son.”
